But the bases were now jagged, broken remnants that guarded the darkness of the three tunnels leading off the vomitorium like sentinels with bared teeth. There were three photography can lights and a battery generator next to the bases but she paid no attention to them. She took a step forward, her gaze on the center of the room. A long red velvet cloth lay on the rocky ground.
“What's that?”
“Part of my prep work. I wanted to make sure Aldo knew he'd reached pay dirt.”
“I'd think that the lights would tip him off.”
“Okay, it's a little dramatic touch. So I'm a ham.”
The velvet looked like a splotch of blood in the oozing darkness and she couldn't take her gaze off it. “That's where you're going to put the coffin?”
“Eventually. But we want Aldo to know what's coming. We can lead him so far and then we turn him loose to search for himself. After he spots this place, he'll start setting up his plans.” He pointed to the walls. “I've already placed the torches.” He indicated a wall to the left facing the vomitorium. “Do you see that small opening in the face of the rock about thirty feet up? That opens to the passage I showed you. Joe will be lying on his ledge and able to point his rifle directly down into this area. And, as a matter of fact, the video camera I mentioned is filming us right now.” He pointed to a large flat rock close to the ground. “I'll be right there and able to roll that rock aside to get out and help you if something goes wrong.”
Her gaze shifted to the right. “Two tunnels lead off this area?”
“Three including the one you'll be using.”
“And Aldo will be in one of them?” She couldn't seem to tear her gaze from the yawning darkness. She could imagine him there now, watching them. “Isn't there any way we could go after him and try to hunt him down once we're sure he's there? You said he won't be familiar with these tunnels.”
“Joe and I talked about the possibility.” He shook his head. “It could be a nightmare to try to track someone. These tunnels are like a maze and there are at least two exits besides the one at Via Spagnola. He could stumble on one of them and then we'd lose him.” He paused. “But if you're having second thoughts about drawing him into the open, tell me. It's your choice, Jane.”
“I was only asking. I'm not having second thoughts.”
His lips twisted. “I believe I was hoping you were.”
“How strange.” She took another step toward the velvet cloth. “It looks . . .”
Blood. Pain. Aldo standing looking down at the velvet in triumph.
Imagination.
Crush the fear. She swallowed. “It looks very theatrical.” She turned away and started back toward the tunnel. “I'm sure Cira would have approved.”
“Only if it was a comedy. Tragedy wasn't her forte.”
“Not mine either.”
His hand was on her elbow, supporting, comforting. “And I intend to keep it that way. Let's get out of here.”
I'll go ahead.” Trevor climbed the ladder and opened the trapdoor to the kitchen. “If Quinn is awake and stirring, then I'll be the one to face his wrath first.” He glanced around the room, and whispered, “All clear.”
She hadn't realized how relieved she'd be to know she wouldn't have to confront Joe and Eve. She was shaken enough without having to deal with any other emotion.
“Get to bed,” Trevor said as he pulled her up into the kitchen and shut the trapdoor. “Tomorrow's a big day.”
“For Eve,” Jane said. “Not me. As far as the media is concerned, I'm only here because I'm Eve's kid and she wanted to expose me to European culture.”
“But since she's not too accessible, they may try to get at her through you. And anyone who read the Archaeology Journal article might see the resemblance with the statue.”
“It was too blurred. Sam did a good job.”
He stiffened. “Sam? You're on first-name terms?”
“He's that kind of man. And we hit it off.”
“I'm sure you did. I'd bet you had him wound around your finger before you'd been in his office fifteen minutes.”
She frowned. “It wasn't like that.”
“Really? What was it like?”
“I told you how difficult it—” She broke off. “I don't have to make explanations. What's wrong with you?”
“Not a damn thing. I was just wondering what you did to get—” He stopped and turned away. “You're right, I'm out of line. Sorry.”
“Apology not accepted. If you mean what I think you mean.”
“It was a mistake, okay?”
“No, it's not okay. Are you some kind of sex maniac? First, that stupidity about Cira and now this. I don't sleep with people to get my way. I have a mind and I use it.”
“I said I was sorry.”
Anger was searing through her. “It's no wonder you have those disgusting dreams about Cira. You believe all women are prostitutes.” A sudden thought occurred to her. “It's my face. Because I look like her, you think I'd behave the same way.”
“I know you wouldn't.”
“No? In some part of that pea-sized, chauvinistic brain the thought must have been there or you wouldn't have acted like such an asshole.”
“I don't think you're like Cira.”
“No, I'm not. But I'd be proud to have her strength and her determination, and I resent you intimating that she was less than she was.”
“May I point out I've never admitted comparing the two of you? You're the one who's so sure that I—”
She turned to leave the room.
“No.” His hand was on her shoulder, spinning her around. “Don't turn your back on me. I've stood here and listened to you condemning me for a sex crazy son of a bitch, but I won't let you run away until I have my say.”
“Let me go.”
“When I've finished.” His eyes were glittering in his taut face. “First, you may be right. I've lived with the image of Cira for so long that I could be unconsciously comparing you. Not consciously. I realize the differences. One of which sticks in my throat and nearly chokes me every time I look at you. Second, just because I've got my share of healthy lust doesn't mean I think less of her . . . or you. I told you that I thought she was bigger than life. Sex is part of the package, but only a part. Third, if you were older and had a little more experience I wouldn't have to tell you all this. I could show you.”
She stared up at him, anger ebbing away, replaced by that odd breathlessness she'd experienced once before.
“Don't look at me like that,” he said thickly. His hand left her shoulder and moved up to cup her cheek. “God, you're beautiful. You have so many expressions. . . .”
Her skin was tingling beneath his touch yet she couldn't seem to move away. “Everyone has expressions.”
“Not like you. You light up, you cloud, you sparkle. . . . I could watch you for the next millennium and not get tired of—” He drew a deep breath and his hand slowly dropped away from her. “Go to bed. I'm not behaving well and it could get worse.”
She didn't move.
“Go to bed.”
She took a step closer and tentatively touched his chest.
“Oh, shit.” He closed his eyes. “Now you've done it.”
His heart was beating so hard beneath her palm. . . .
His eyes opened and he stared down at her. “No.”
“Why not?” She took another step. “I think I want—”
“I know you do.” He drew a deep shaky breath and took a step back. “And it's killing me.” He turned and headed for the door. “Sex maniacs are like that.”